Q&A · 58:32-1:00:23

Would India or Iran join the enlarged Invincible program?

India has a plausible replacement and production-line case, whereas Iranian interest never becomes a convincing blue-water carrier program.

Question

Besides Britain and Australia, would India or Iran be likely to buy enlarged Invincibles?

Short answer

India is the strong candidate, while Iran's force needs, American alignment, and lack of a firm historical order make an Iranian purchase unlikely.

Notes

India is the likeliest additional customer because it historically bought Hermes and might prefer a new ship if a large Invincible production line already existed. One British-built carrier could be followed by domestic Indian construction. Iran, by contrast, was pursuing regional sea control rather than a genuine blue-water carrier force. Buying American equipment also signalled political alignment and an expectation of US support. Iranian interest may have existed at the level of desire, but it never matured into a three-ship order.